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L.Pharmstrong

(152 posts)
Wed Nov 4, 2020, 07:52 PM Nov 2020

Could Biden appoint a Republican Senator to his cabinet?

As a gesture of unity and to free a seat in the Senate that could be filled by a Dem Governor? If so, who is out there that might fit the bill?

36 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Could Biden appoint a Republican Senator to his cabinet? (Original Post) L.Pharmstrong Nov 2020 OP
He could, and probably should. That doesn't mean they would accept. SKKY Nov 2020 #1
Yes, he could. elleng Nov 2020 #2
It was sort of a rhetorical question ;-) L.Pharmstrong Nov 2020 #21
he could but they would never accept it lapfog_1 Nov 2020 #3
They wouldn't accept if it meant losing the Senate. yardwork Nov 2020 #4
He wouldn't have any takers. madaboutharry Nov 2020 #5
I don't think a senator meets that requirement Proud liberal 80 Nov 2020 #6
LOL, good idea! dawg day Nov 2020 #7
This is a fantasy. tritsofme Nov 2020 #8
Perhaps, but it's a good one, isn't it? n/t Laelth Nov 2020 #15
As long you realize it is fantasy and not a realistic option. tritsofme Nov 2020 #22
Yep and yep. Laelth Nov 2020 #9
They would have to resign their Senate seat northlake9 Nov 2020 #10
I'm certain he'll appoint a Republican, ala Ray La Hood, from the Obama administration. Progressive Jones Nov 2020 #19
He should appoint Susan Collins Secretary of State so her seat can be filled by the Dem Gov of Maine EarlG Nov 2020 #11
I really did LOL at that!! Sogo Nov 2020 #24
Maybe there is something here? L.Pharmstrong Nov 2020 #26
It's true I was joking EarlG Nov 2020 #31
He could try but they won't take it at risk of death by the Trump crime family. nt Boogiemack Nov 2020 #12
Name Susan Collins... regnaD kciN Nov 2020 #13
No effing way. He should only prosecute MyNameGoesHere Nov 2020 #14
This is crazy, but it just might work... Progressive Jones Nov 2020 #16
Haha, no way in hell McConnell would accept Rstrstx Nov 2020 #20
He has too much power L.Pharmstrong Nov 2020 #30
Burr's retiring DeminPennswoods Nov 2020 #17
Burr, as in insider-trading Burr? Sogo Nov 2020 #25
Lincoln did that, and historians find it not unquestionable... TreasonousBastard Nov 2020 #18
He could, but Moscow Mitch would block it. Hassler Nov 2020 #23
Collins? atse Nov 2020 #27
I posted above, but i'll repeat L.Pharmstrong Nov 2020 #29
Here we go. Iggo Nov 2020 #28
we in NC have two GOP senators and a freshly re elected Dem gov dsc Nov 2020 #32
No compromise. No prisoners. maxsolomon Nov 2020 #33
Lindsey? keithbvadu2 Nov 2020 #34
Thats up to the DE governor to appoint a replacement senator onetexan Nov 2020 #35
Susan's Collins reportedly is under consideration. L.Pharmstrong Nov 2020 #36

SKKY

(12,379 posts)
1. He could, and probably should. That doesn't mean they would accept.
Wed Nov 4, 2020, 07:53 PM
Nov 2020

They're certainly not required to.

 

L.Pharmstrong

(152 posts)
21. It was sort of a rhetorical question ;-)
Wed Nov 4, 2020, 08:07 PM
Nov 2020

I know that he could. I also know that one offered a cabinet seat needn’t accept it. But who could an offer be made to? There has to be some centrist R Senator who is a never-Trumper and who is concerned about the divisiveness of our politics and might accept. Give them a significant enough position, and who knows. Even if the Senator declines, Biden still would look good.

Proud liberal 80

(4,363 posts)
6. I don't think a senator meets that requirement
Wed Nov 4, 2020, 07:54 PM
Nov 2020

except for the two Kentucky ones and they aren't doing it

tritsofme

(18,941 posts)
8. This is a fantasy.
Wed Nov 4, 2020, 07:55 PM
Nov 2020

No Republican senator is going to just willingly hand Democrats a Senate majority.

tritsofme

(18,941 posts)
22. As long you realize it is fantasy and not a realistic option.
Wed Nov 4, 2020, 08:07 PM
Nov 2020

Looks like both GA seats go to runoff, our path to a Senate majority has not yet closed.

Laelth

(32,017 posts)
9. Yep and yep.
Wed Nov 4, 2020, 07:55 PM
Nov 2020

Susan Collins would be perfect in any cabinet position that requires our utmost concern.

Make sure her undersecretary is strong, and let Susan be the figurehead.

-Laelth

Progressive Jones

(6,011 posts)
19. I'm certain he'll appoint a Republican, ala Ray La Hood, from the Obama administration.
Wed Nov 4, 2020, 08:03 PM
Nov 2020

La Hood was Obama's Transportation Secretary, and a House Rep. from Illinois before that. Very moderate Republican.
Actually, the GOP could use a lot more like Ray La Hood.

EarlG

(22,737 posts)
11. He should appoint Susan Collins Secretary of State so her seat can be filled by the Dem Gov of Maine
Wed Nov 4, 2020, 07:56 PM
Nov 2020

Then fire her a week later because he's "concerned" about her performance.

 

L.Pharmstrong

(152 posts)
26. Maybe there is something here?
Wed Nov 4, 2020, 08:14 PM
Nov 2020

Collins is getting up there. Maybe offer her a cabinet post. Maybe Agriculture. She sits in the Senate Agriculture Committee, and appointing her could appease some farmers in rural states. She’s already got strained relations with McConnell and much of her Party. She just might take it.

EarlG

(22,737 posts)
31. It's true I was joking
Wed Nov 4, 2020, 08:20 PM
Nov 2020

But there actually might be something to it. She's already a) desperate to be seen as a compromiser, and b) despised by her own party. She could burnish her bipartisan creds and stick it to McConnell at the same time. Agriculture might just work.

Probably not going to happen though

 

MyNameGoesHere

(7,638 posts)
14. No effing way. He should only prosecute
Wed Nov 4, 2020, 07:57 PM
Nov 2020

And send them to prison. Republicans will smile in your face while shaking your hand and plunging the knife in their other hand in your back. No no no no. Not ever.

Progressive Jones

(6,011 posts)
16. This is crazy, but it just might work...
Wed Nov 4, 2020, 07:59 PM
Nov 2020

McConnell. Takes him out of play in the Senate. His ego might just make him bite.

Beshear, of Kentucky, is a Democrat, and he would assign a new Senator.

Rstrstx

(1,580 posts)
20. Haha, no way in hell McConnell would accept
Wed Nov 4, 2020, 08:06 PM
Nov 2020

But if he picked a couple of R Senators from states we’re supposed to pick up in 2022 I would have no objection to that.

DeminPennswoods

(16,521 posts)
17. Burr's retiring
Wed Nov 4, 2020, 07:59 PM
Nov 2020

He might accept a cabinet post. Cooper could appoint his successor.

Toomey's not running for re-election either, but there's no cabinet position of Court Jester.

Sogo

(5,983 posts)
25. Burr, as in insider-trading Burr?
Wed Nov 4, 2020, 08:11 PM
Nov 2020

I don’t think we need a swamp creature in Joe’s cabinet.

atse

(42 posts)
27. Collins?
Wed Nov 4, 2020, 08:15 PM
Nov 2020

I posted about this earlier:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100214440816

Collins comes from a state with a Dem governor that picks the replacement and does NOT have to pick it from the same party as the departing person. So there's at least a theoretical chance there.

 

L.Pharmstrong

(152 posts)
29. I posted above, but i'll repeat
Wed Nov 4, 2020, 08:18 PM
Nov 2020

I think Biden should consider offering her Agriculture. I could see her taking it. She sits on the Senate Agriculture Committee, and this could appease some farmers in rural red states. This makes some sense.

dsc

(52,792 posts)
32. we in NC have two GOP senators and a freshly re elected Dem gov
Wed Nov 4, 2020, 08:22 PM
Nov 2020

Kentucky does too, LA does as well, and ME, PA, WI, have one each with a Dem gov. But all of those senators are human scum so there is that.

maxsolomon

(35,811 posts)
33. No compromise. No prisoners.
Wed Nov 4, 2020, 08:22 PM
Nov 2020

It's going to be bad enough with McConnell in control.

Burn the Senate to the ground.

 

L.Pharmstrong

(152 posts)
36. Susan's Collins reportedly is under consideration.
Mon Nov 9, 2020, 01:37 PM
Nov 2020

As well as Murkowski and Rand Paul. https://nypost.com/2020/11/09/biden-eyes-republicans-democrats-for-administration-posts/

I understand Collins, but Murkowski doesn’t get a Senate Seat, and while Kentucky has a Dem Governor who could appoint a Dem to replace Paul, is it worth it?

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